Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I pray that you are having a fruitful Lenten Season. In today’s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah you hear (unless you attend a Mass where the Scrutinies are celebrated) about Moses’ encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in a burning bush. Moses comes face to face with God, so to speak, and learns that he is called to lead the Israelites to freedom. Moses’ life was never the same again.
Elsewhere in the Scriptures, people have had similar “burning bush” experiences. Examples would be St. Paul’s encounter on the road to Damascus and Peter’s encounter at the Transfiguration. All these events made a huge impression on those who experienced them and were transformative moments in their lives.
Here at Ascension, our purpose is to draw people into transformational encounters with Christ and His Church. Such encounters can happen in prayer, in prayerful study of the Scriptures, in silent adoration, or in encounters with the sick, the poor, or the lonely. Of course we encounter the Lord at Mass, but are we disposed to such encounters, are we prepared to recognize His presence, and do we desire to be transformed?
Being intentional at seeking God and having our heart open, free from sin and distractions, can better enable us to truly encounter Him. While such encounters may not be quite as dramatic as those of Moses, Peter, or Paul, our hope is that they be transformational, nonetheless.
Intentional prayer, one of the disciplines of Lent, is one of the best ways to draw closer to God. While there are different forms of prayer, it can be generally defined as the raising of one’s mind and heart to God.
Listening in silence is an important element of prayer. You may have to ask God to speak to your heart and even ask Him to show you how to pray, for St. Paul says, “we do not know how to pray as we ought” (Rom 8:26). Give it a try this Lent and cooperate with God in His work of transforming you.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
